Power and Wealth
Chapter 1323 – Political achievement is here
Afternoon.
Zhong Lizhen’s apartment.
Dong Xuebing did not dare to remain in Zhong Lizhen’s main bedroom after seeing her dairy accidentally. He feared she would notice it and ensured he placed everything back in place. He returned to the living room and glanced at the bedroom. Professor Zhong looks like a conservative woman, but she did that secretly. Huh? But it should be expected. She is around forty and has never dated before. It’s normal for her to have desire. Moreover, her job was tedious and stressful. She needs to release her stress.
This is normal…
Dong Xuebing understood she had her needs and got excited. He started to imagine her expression when she did it…
Does she moan?
How will she move?
Dong Xuebing could not stand it.
He took a deep breath and went to the bathroom to wash his face with cold water. He calmed down after washing his face.
No… I must do something to distract myself.
Dong Xuebing saw the washing machine from the mirror and turned. He opened the lid and saw it was filled with clothes. He checked if there was underwear among them. No. There’s nothing except for some skirts, stockings, and white gowns.
I should wash these for her.
Dong Xuebing removed the stockings and threw them in the basin before adding detergent and switching the washing machine. After that, he squatted down and started scrubbing her stockings. These delicate stockings cannot be machine-washed.
Washed…
Wrenched dried…
Hung…
Dong Xuebing did not stop. He continued to clean the apartment. He wiped the stove and hood, wiped the windows, swept the floor, etc. He did not listen to Zhong Lizhen and carried the machines aside. He placed them neatly against the wall, making the living room more spacious.
Dong Xuebing did chores for around three hours.
Dong Xuebing was satisfied with the result.
“Cough… cough… cough…” Professor Zhong coughed in the bedroom.
Dong Xuebing knocked on the door and entered. “You are awake. Do you want water?”
Zhong Lizhen’s hair was in a mess. She coughed and looked at the time. “It’s after 5 pm. Pass me the thermometer. I feel much better now.”
Dong Xuebing nodded and passed her the thermometer.
She checked her temperature, and it dropped to 37.5 degrees Celcius.
“Are you hungry? Do you want to rest a while more?” Dong Xuebing looked at Zhong Lizhen and kept imagining her expression. He also kept glancing at her legs. He could not forget what she read in the diary.
“No. I need to get up.”
“Ok. Get up slowly.”
Zhong Lizhen sat up and grabbed her white gown. She wore heels and walked to the living room with Dong Xuebing. Her face changed when she saw the spacious living room. “Didn’t I tell you not to touch my things?”
Dong Xuebing replied. “I was careful when I moved them. The machines are fine.”
Zhong Lizhen checked every machine carefully and was relieved. She turned and looked at the main bedroom. “Did you enter my room?”
Dong Xuebing lied. “Of course not. I just cleaned your living room.”
Zhong Lizhen looked at the door and relaxed. She noticed the scent. “Why is there a detergent smell? Did you wash the clothes?”
“Yes. You are sick and should have no time to wash. So, I washed them for you.” Dong Xuebing smiled. “Don’t you feel better with these machines out of the way?”
Zhong Lizhen replied nonchalantly. “Not bad.”
Dong Xuebing could tell Zhong Lizhen liked the new arrangement. She should feel more comfortable with the machines placed against the walls.
They sat on the couch.
Zhong Lizhen thought for a second and said. “Thank you for today.”
“I should take care of you. You made significant contributions to our country with your research.” Dong Xuebing smiled. “Sorry for nagging at you. Don’t be angry with me.”
Zhong Lizhen calmly replied. “I know you care for me. I feel much better after the medicine and a nap.”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “You must take care of yourself. It’s good to take a break. No one can replace you if you fall sick.”
Ring… ring… ring…
The phone on the table rang suddenly.
Zhong Lizhen answered. “Hello, who is it?”
A young man said. “I am Xiao Zhang, Professor Zhong. The leader asked me to check with you if you had decided on the research center’s location, and are you feeling better?”
Zhong Lizhen replied. “I am fine and should return to work tomorrow. That research project is almost completed. I need to add some theories and calculations for the data. I will try to finish it today.”
“Ok. What about the research center’s location?”
“It cannot be located in Beijing. The tests we are conducting are dangerous and highly confidential. It should be located in a secluded area. It would be better if it is located in the mountainous area.”
“Must it be in the mountains?”
“Not necessary. I will discuss it with my teacher after I get the data. I need to analyze it first.”
“I understand. Please take care of yourself.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Zhong Lizhen drank a few sips of warm water after hanging up.
Dong Xuebing overheard the conversation and asked. “What research center are you talking about? Is it a project you are doing?”
Zhong Lizhen looked at Dong Xuebing. “It is one of the projects I oversee. Why are you asking?”
Dong Xuebing replied. “I am just asking. Why do you need to pick the location yourself? Is it an important project?”
Zhong Lizhen nodded. “Yes.”
“Which location are you looking at?” Dong Xuebing asked.
“Confidential.”
“Huh? Which department is the research center under? Is it your Academy of Sciences or the Province’s Academy of Sciences branch?”
“It is under the Central Academy of Sciences. We will oversee the research center directly. Why are you asking? This has nothing to do with you.” Zhong Lizhen was puzzled as to why Dong Xuebing was interested suddenly.
Dong Xuebing is not good at other things, but he is good at seizing opportunities for political achievements. When he overheard Zhong Lizhen’s conversation, he saw an opportunity. “You know I am a civil servant. I am working in Zhen Shui County now. Our county’s economy is not good, and the environment is bad. We have nothing, but we are located in a secluded area. Our location is very secluded, and it is a national-tier poverty county. The population is low and surrounded by lots of mountains. Do you think our county suits your requirement?”
Zhong Lizhen asked. “Your county?”
“Yes. I think it is the best location for your research center. I am working there and can assist you with the arrangements.” Dong Xuebing replied.
Zhong Lizhen kept quiet for a few seconds. “My data is not ready. Although the research center fund is issued, we need time to decide.”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “It’s fine. I hope you can consider our county.”
Zhong Lizhen was confused. “This is our Chinese Academy of Sciences project. What has it got to do with the local county? Why are you so interested?”
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat. “You just returned and had been doing research. You might not know the situation at the grassroots level. It might be the Academy of Sciences research center, but our county will be involved if you pick us. You all will not know about the coordination work there. Our county can assist, and the construction will be under us. Our county will gain popularity if your research has any breakthroughs. It might also bring up our county’s technological development. We will benefit greatly from it. This is a political achievement.”
Zhong Lizhen: “…….”
Dong Xuebing added. “Of course, I am not doing this for myself. I am doing this for our county’s people. I hope they can live better and no longer live in poverty.”
Zhong Lizhen looked at Dong Xuebing. “Are you in charge of technology?”
Dong Xuebing paused for a second. “No, but I can take over this department if you pick our county.” He will not let others get this achievement.
Zhong Lizhen: “……”
Dong Xuebing looked at her eagerly. “Just say the word.”
Zhong Lizhen hesitated for a moment. “I will help you ask when we pick the location.”
“Do you think there’s hope?”
“I am the person in charge of this project. If it fits the criteria, I suggest your county, and the higher-ups will consider it. I am a researcher and can only tell if the location fits our criteria from the data. I don’t know if your county will be selected.”
Dong Xuebing smiled. “It’s fine. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me now. I am not promising anything.”